A.
Definition and Purpose
Emergency Services - social,
financial and supportive assistance to help elderly individuals through a
crisis, life-threatening or unexpected emergency situation which demands or
requires immediate action or intervention. Emergency Services can be temporary,
short-term or extended assistance designed to satisfy the unmet needs of
elderly individuals. /emergency Services can include food, clothing medical
supplies, equipment, and other items needed in a crisis situation.
The purpose of Emergency Service is to:
1. Offer immediate response to identified
needs of older persons for which no other resource is available;
2. Allow older individuals to remain in their
homes through the provision of needed services in crisis situations;
3. Provide much needed temporary assistance
to help alleviate a sudden or urgent, unexpected crisis;
4. Maintain proper health of older
individuals in their homes; and
5.
Solve emergencies or crisis situations that plague elderly
individuals.
C.
Unit of Service
A unit of service is counted for emergency assistance
activities (listed below provided to a client:
1. Food (other than the services of the meals
program);
2. Medical, orthopedic
and convalescent supplies and equipment;
3. Medication (prescription(s)
filled);
4. Clothing; and
5. Emergency transportation (other than
services provided through the regular transportation program
D.
Minimum Program
Requirements
All Area Agencies on Aging and providers of emergency
services must adhere to the following requirements:
1.
Service
Activities
a. The Case Manager
or designated staff shall (if needed):
1)
complete purchase request;
2)
ensure the purchase is made for the client(s) n accordance with established
purchasing procedures;
3) make
arrangements for the delivery of the services, supplies or equipment;
and
4) thoroughly document all
activities and services provided.
b. Staff providing emergency services shall
have means of identification (badges, agency cards, or ID'S).
c. Sufficient documentation by the AAA is
needed to justify the need for emergency transportation when providing the
service.
d. The AAA Director shall
make the final decision on whether or not to supply the needed services or item
based on the recommendations from the case manager/assistant or other
designated staff person.
e. The
client shall be allowed the opportunity to contribute to the cost of the
service.
2.
Location of Services
Emergency services shall be provided, but not limited to the
following places:
a. client's
home;
b. service provider's
office;
c. designated focal point
or centralized facility accessible to elderly individuals; and
d. the Area Agency on Aging.
3.
Access to
Service
A client may enter the service system at any point through an
appropriate referral service to be determined eligible for
services.
4.
Delivery Characteristics
a. Each client shall have a case record that
includes:
(1) Screening/Intake/Assessment
instrument;
(2) Authorization
Releases, if required;
(3)
Health/medical information;
(4)
Approval/termination of services;
(5) Documentation of client's inability to
pay for the needed services;
(6)
Documentation of services provided;
(7) Plan of care, if applicable;
and
(8) Name and address of a
contact person.
b.
Emergency services shall be made available when needed by the client, seven
days per week, 24 hours a day, including holidays, if needed.
c. The emergency services provider, case
manager/assistant or designated staff shall have a system to distinguish
emergency from non-emergency situations.
d. The transportation drivers shall have a
safe driver's record and a valid driver's license as required by the
Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol.
e. Emergency services shall be coordinated
with existing services provided by the agency.
f. Volunteers shall be utilized to provide
emergency services when necessary.
5.
Staffing
a. All staff included in the service must
have good physical and emotional health with the ability to carry out or
perform assigned duties.
b. There
shall be a designated staff person to supervise the day-to-day operations of
the program.
c. There shall be
adequate staff to achieve the purpose/goal of the program.
d. There shall be a designated staff person
or an established system to provide emergency service after hours, weekends and
holidays.
e. Volunteers shall be
supervised same as the regular staff.
6.
Training
a. All emergency services staff shall receive
orientation to the Agency, State Unit on Aging, and the program's operational
policy and procedures.
b. All staff
involved in the service shall receive training in emergency procedures, first
aid, CPR, community resources, Heimlich technique, referral process and case
record documentation.
c. Volunteers
shall be trained same as the regular staff.
d.
7.
Monitoring
a. The MDHS Monitoring Unit shall monitor the
Area Agency on Aging emergency service program annually.
b. The Area Agency on Aging shall monitor the
emergency service provider annually.
c.
8.
Prohibited Service
Activities
a. Consumption of
client's food or drink.
b. Breach
of confidentiality.
c. Acceptance
of gifts or tips.
d. Friends or
relatives of emergency service staff brought to client's home.
e. Smoking in client's home.
f. Solicitation of money or goods from
clients.
g. Consumption of
alcoholic beverages prior to or during service delivery.
h. Discussion of personal problems, religious
or political beliefs with client.
